Malting process.



No. 896,752. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1908. A. OERTEL.

MALTING PROCESS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26,1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED OERTEL, OF GODESBERG, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO DEIOHMANN & CIE., OFCOLOGNE,

' GERMANY, FIRM.

MALTING rnocsss.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED OERTEL, a subject of the German Emperor, andresiding at Godesber Germany, have invented certain new an usefulImprovements in Malting Processes, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates. to malting processes and has particularreference to. a process of malting in which the grain is sub'ected tothe action of dark electric rays pro need by an alternating electriccurrent having an electro motive force above 1,000 volts and below thatof the so-called Tesla currents, whereby a more rapid and satisfactorygermination of v the grain is produced.

In the rac tice of my process the grain to be malted is moistened andspread over a floor and high tension currents of the char- .acter abovereferred to are employed to produce brushes of dark electric rays whichare passed from an electrode extending over practically the wholesurface of the grain, through the latter. The distance between theelectrode and the surface of the grain is such that no sparks can passbetween them.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown a diagrammatic view ofsuitable apparatus for carrying out my process.

In this drawing h' designates a hea of grain spread out upon a suitablefloor. Above the grain is an electrode f, which is-made of suitablematerial and mayv advantageously have the form of sheet metal, latticework, or wire net. The electrode is suspended by suitable cables '5, 6.between which and the electrode are interposed suitable insulators g, g.

The electrode is connected with one pole of the secondary circuit of atransformer d for high tension currents. The other pole is connectedwith the earth. The primary circuit of the transformer is connected witha source of electricity 0 of the usual tension as for example, 110, 220,or 250 volts. The current for feeding the transformer may be takendirectly from an alternating current generator, or it can be obtainedfrom a direct current by means of a rotary transformer b of ordinaryconstruction.

A liquid condenser 0 may be advantageously connected in parallel in theprimary circuit, as illustrated.

and the grain.

The electro motive force of current in the secondary transformer circuitmay vary from about 1,000 volts to that of Tesla s currents. Thefrequency of vibrations of the latter currents are 500,000 alternationsper second. Currents of such frequency produce no physiological action.

In the use of the a paratus, the grain to be malted is moistened andspread upon the floor. The electrode f is then lowered until it iswithin a few inches of the grain h. The switch'lc is then closed andimmediately a high difference of potential occurs between the grain andthe electrode causing sparks to pass between them. The electrode is thenraised until sparks cease to pass between it When the sparks cease,there occurs an invisible discharge of current between all parts of theelectrode and grain,

in the form of brushes of dark rays whichproduce the desired effect insecuring a more rapid and satisfactory germination of the grain. Whenthe rain is to be turned or stirred, the switch 7% is o ened and theelectrode f drawn up. A ter the necessary work is done, the electrode islowered and the rocess resumed.

T is process may also be advantageously used in the steepingprocessby'subjecting the grain in the steeping vats to the dark rays asereinbefore described. In this case, the ozone which is roduced,produces an additional though incidental advantage as, by

dissolving in the liquid of the steeping bath, it materially improves itfor the purpose for which it is employed.

Having described my invention, I claim:

The hereindescribed malting process which consists in subjecting grainto the action of dark electric rays producedby high tension alternatingelectric currents having an electro motive force above 1,000 volts andbelow that of Teslas currents, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ALFRED OERTEL.

Witnesses WILLIAM KUEPPERS, J on. SCHOLZ.

